Zoo Animals Reduce Stress for Airport Passengers in Philadelphia
On August 6, CBSNews shared a wonderful report about how the Philadelphia Zoo has teamed up with Philadelphia International Airport to ease the stress of passengers visiting the airport.
The Philadelphia Zoo has a fantastic initiative where airport guests can get up close to some of the zoo's animals. Watch the following video to see some of the animals making flying the friendly skies a lot friendlier.
From the airport's press release, "Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has partnered with the Philadelphia Zoo to bring some of the amazing creatures that reside at America’s first zoo to PHL each month to interact with travelers. The initiative, which started this summer, has been a hit with visitors who are fascinated with the various exotic mammals and birds. Thus far, some of the animals that have visited PHL include Camilla, a three-banded armadillo whose favorite snack is mealworms; Shenandoah, a red-tailed hawk; Machu and Picchu, brother and sister blue and gold macaws who love to snack on sunflower seeds; and Meg and Tom, red-footed tortoises whose conservation status is vulnerable due to overhunting."
This would make waiting through that long line for security so much more tolerable!
Studies have shown that interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.
When visiting the airport, pretty much everyone can use a reduction in stress levels! The zoo animals appear once a month and are accessible only to ticketed passengers.
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